Atletico Madrid took a 6-0 lead into the second leg of their last-32 Copa del Rey clash with Segunda B side CD Guijuelo on Tuesday night.
That lead was stretched to 10-0 at the interval courtesy of first-half goals from Nico Gaitan, Angel Correa, Juanfran and Fernando Torres.
Guijuelo had one back in the 79th minute through Antonio Pino, but it was purely a consolation as Atletico breezed into the next round of the competition.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Copa del Rey coverage continues from the Spanish capital as Atletico Madrid welcome Segunda B side CD Guijuelo for the second leg of their last-32 clash. Atletico hold a 6-0 lead from the first leg last month, making tonight's match purely academic. That said, it should still be a good night of football at the Vicente Calderon. Stay tuned for live updates from Madrid!
Two-legged affairs at this stage of the Copa del Rey have drawn a lot of criticism and the result in the first leg of this tie only further makes that point. Indeed, it was very comfortable for Atletico as Yannick Ferreira Carrasco hit a brace in a 6-0 victory. Diego Simeone sent out a strong team on November 30 and as a result, Atletico's spot in the next round is all but confirmed ahead of this match.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Vicente Calderon. As mentioned, both teams were in league action at the weekend and both managers were expected to shuffle their pack. Let's have a look at the two XIs that will start this match...
TEAMS!
ATLETICO: Moya; Vrsaljko, Savic, Gimenez, Lucas; Thomas, Juanfran, Saul; Gaitan, Torres, Correa
GUIJUELO: Morales; Sanchez, Martin, H.Martinez, Perez; C.Martinez, Julia, Fernandez, Carmona, Ruiz; Dimas
As expected, Simeone has shuffled his pack tonight, but it is still a very strong XI. Sime Vrsaljko and Thomas Partey are both handed rare starts, while Nico Gaitan and Fernando Torres come into the team in the final third. Juanfran will seemingly operate in a midfield role for the hosts, with Vrsaljko and Lucas Hernandez in the two full-back positions. Angel Correa also starts in a wide role.
As for Guijuelo, their leading scorer Antonio Pino, who has netted eight goals in 18 league appearances this season, is only on the bench. Second leading goalscorer Aitor Aspas, meanwhile, is also on the bench for the visitors in two surprising calls. It appears that the Segunda B outfit will play a 4-5-1 formation tonight, with 24-year-old Spaniard Manu Dimas chosen to lead the line.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 25 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in the Spanish capital. To be blunt, Guijuelo stand absolutely no chance of turning this tie around, but it will be a good opportunity for their players to make an impression. Indeed, the Copa del Rey is often seen as a shop window for lower-league players to catch the eye.
Atletico have actually lost two of their last three games in all competitions, but they bounced back with a 1-0 victory over Las Palmas in the league at the weekend to move onto 28 points for the season. That said, they are still down in sixth position in La Liga – some nine points off the leaders Real Madrid, who secured the 2016 Club World Cup at the weekend and now have a game in hand.
Never mind challenging for the title this season, Atletico's top-four spot is under threat due to the form and performances of the likes of Sevilla, Villarreal and Real Sociedad. Simeone's side did breeze into the knockout round of the Champions League, however, and will take on Bayer Leverkusen in a two-legged affair in February. In truth, it was a very generous draw for the Madrid club.
In terms of this competition, Atletico have lifted the Copa del Rey on 10 occasions – the last of which came in 2013, when they beat Real Madrid in the final. They have not made the final since, however, with Real Madrid and Barcelona triumphing in the last three campaigns. It is not a priority competition for Simeone, but it might well be his best chance of silverware this season.
As for the visitors, Mateo Garcia's side currently play their football in the Segunda B, which is the third tier of Spanish football. They have actually never been higher than their current league and have previously spent time in the fourth tier of professional football in Spain – the Tercera Division.
They overcame Boiro and Cirbonero to book their spot in this stage of the Copa del Rey, but they are currently struggling in their domestic league – sitting down in 15th position following Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Celta Vigo II. To be honest, they are in danger of taking another hiding tonight, which cannot be good for their confidence. Right, kickoff at the Vicente Calderon is now just around the corner!
KICKOFF! The visitors kick things off at the Calderon...
... far from a full house inside the stadium tonight, but those in attendance will be hoping for an entertaining game of football. Guijuelo, six down from the first leg, have absolutely nothing to lose tonight and they have actually kept the ball quite well in the opening couple of minutes here.
Julia has seen plenty of the ball in the opening four minutes of this match, with the away side's number 10 drifting into wide positions and looking to feed Manu Dimas in a central area.
Juanfran, as expected, has been given a wide midfield role for Atletico tonight, leaving Vrsaljko at right-back. Fernando Torres is central for the home side, with Gaitan to the left and Correa to the right. Just a few signs that Simeone's team are starting to settle into a passing rhythm here.
Nothing to report in terms of clear chances in the opening eight minutes of this match, but Atletico are very much in control of proceedings and Perez has to come across to block a cross from Correa, which was threatening to find Torres in a dangerous area. Decent game of football.
Not an awful lot between the two teams at the moment, with Guijuelo comfortable dealing with the threat from Atletico. In truth, there is no real desire from the home side tonight, not at the moment anyway. No real desire to win the ball back and break forward, which is not much of a surprise.
Carles and Dimas combine down the right for the visitors and Savic's pace is tested, but the centre-back is on hand to make the challenge. Still no clear chances for either team here.
Half-chance for the home side as Lucas has a pop from inside the box after the visitors fail to clear their lines, but the defender's effort was always too high. Bit of a warning for Guijuelo there.
BOOKING! Ruiz (Guijuelo) is booked for a poor tackle on Gaitan.
GOAL! Atletico 1-0 Guijuelo (Gaitan)
Atletico make the breakthrough in the 17th minute of the match as Gaitan finds space just inside the Guijuelo box before curling a super effort into the top corner. Wonderful finish from him!
Guijuelo need to be very careful as they continue to concede possession in dangerous positions. The visitors competed well in the opening 15 minutes, but Atletico are now moving through the gears and look capable of scoring every time they break forward. The tempo has been raised here.
Torres again breaks through on the opposition goal and looks to square the ball into Correa, but the offside flag comes to Guijuelo's rescue for a second time. Atletico are seeking a quick-fire second.
GOAL! Atletico 2-0 Guijuelo (Correa)
Atletico indeed have their second of the night as Correa smashes the ball home from close range after Gaitan had hit the crossbar with a looping header. Gaitan is involved once again!
So, 26 minutes on the clock and Atletico lead 2-0 on the night and 8-0 on aggregate. This could get very messy for Guijuelo as Atletico continue to move the ball with pace in the final third.
There are plenty of kids in attendance tonight, which is brilliant to see. Not sure whether all of them are Atletico fans but they are being treated to some excellent football from the home side at the moment. Correa and Gaitan have the look of two players keen to make a point to Simeone.
GOAL! Atletico 3-0 Guijuelo (Juanfran)
It is three for Atletico on the night and nine on aggregate as Juanfran places a beautiful strike into the top corner after being released inside the away side's box. Far too straightforward for me!
You have to feel for the away side tonight. Yes, it is a wonderful chance for their players to face Atletico in this fantastic stadium, but I struggle to see how a heavy defeat would benefit them when it comes to their confidence in the league. They really do not want to take a hiding in this one.
SAVE! Much better from the away side as they register their first shot on target and Atletico goalkeeper Moya has to be alert to keep out Manu Dimas.
RED CARD! RUIZ!
Guijuelo are reduced to 10 men at the Vicente Calderon as Ruiz picks up a second yellow card after a discussion with the referee. Safe to say that the full-back is absolutely livid with the decision.
Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining and Atletico are completely dominant here as they continue to commit players in the final third. No sign of the home side slowing down here.
To stop Atletico from progressing, Guijuelo, 10-man Guijuelo, need to score 10 times without reply. Well, there's always a chance I suppose, but I will not be making any promises for the visitors.
Lucas breaks down the left for Atletico and fizzes a dangerous cross towards Torres, but Martinez is across to make a vital block and the visitors can clear their lines from the resulting corner. It comes back through Thomas, but the midfielder is ruled offside and pressure is eased for the moment.
Possession football from the home side as they continue to pass and probe in the final third, but Guijuelo have managed to avoid a couple of dangerous situations with some high pressing here.
Manu Dimas is given something to chase for the visitors and looks as if he might have the legs on Savic and Gimenez, but Moya is on the cover to clear down-field. Guijuelo then enjoy a decent period of possession before conceding a throw inside their own half. Still 3-0 Atletico on the night.
GOAL! Atletico 4-0 Guijuelo (Torres)
The skipper Torres gets his name on the scoresheet for the home side as he scoops home from close range following some desperately bad defending from the visitors. It was so poor!
HALF-TIME: Atletico 4-0 Guijuelo
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Atletico leading Guijuelo 4-0 on the night and 10-0 on aggregate. Gaitan made the breakthrough in the 17th minute of action, before Correa and Juanfran made it two and then three. It got worse for Guijuelo when Ruiz was sent off in the 33rd minute and Torres made it 4-0 Atletico on the stroke of the interval here.
BENCH WATCH! Carrasco, Cerci, Gameiro and Koke are the four outfield players on the Atletico bench tonight, while the visitors have Aspas, Ayala, Piojo and Pino in reserve. Pino is actually their leading scorer this season and it was a surprise when the number 14 was not named in the XI.
RESTART! Atletico resume the action in Madrid...
... GUIJUELO SUB! Pino has replaced Dimas for the away side here.
Guijuelo's leading scorer this season, Pino, has finally entered the field. I suspect the team-talk at the break was something along the likes of: 'We need 11 goals, Pino. Go and get them'.
Half-chance for Atletico as Juanfran swings a cross from the right towards the far post, but Correa cannot make clean contact and Morales is on hand to collect. The likes of Cerci and Gameiro are going through a pretty rigorous warm-up at the moment. Cerci should be involved tonight.
Julia hits one from distance for the visitors, but his effort was always too high.
This is much better from the visitors as they continue to pass and probe in the Atletico half of the field. There is no question that Pino has given them more presence in the final third here.
Not too much to report in terms of Atletico chances in the last few minutes, with the home side guilty of conceding possession in the middle of the park. Still 4-0 on the night here.
Saul has a half-chance from a corner, but the Spaniard's effort was always too high.
BOOKING! Thomas (Atletico) is booked for a poor tackle on Perez.
Little over 30 minutes of this second leg remaining and in truth, not too much has happened in the second period. There is no question that Guijuelo have carried more of an attacking threat, but that is mainly down to Atletico dropping their own level, which is expected with a 10-0 aggregate lead.
ATLETICO SUB! Cerci replaces Saul in Atletico's first change of the night.
Little over 25 minutes of football remaining at the Vicente Calderon and Atletico are not overly concerned with pressing players forward at this moment in time. Cerci will be keen to make an impression in the latter stages, but the Italian needs some service from the likes of Correa and Gaitan.
Guijuelo work the ball into a wide position and Fernandez is the player that delivers, but Gimenez is on hand to make the clearance. The visitors are preparing to make their second change here.
Period of panic inside the away side's box as Atletico continue to deliver, but somehow the ball is smashed clear and Atletico pass up a couple go good opportunities to score a fifth goal.
GUIJUELO SUB! Piojo replaces Fernandez in the away side's second change.
BOOKING! Jonathan (Guijuelo) is booked for dissent.
Atletico continue to create half-chances following periods of possession, but Morales has not had a serious save to make in the second period, which is credit to the visitors, especially considering that they have been playing with 10 men since Ruiz was sent off in the 33rd minute of action.
ATLETICO SUBS! Carrasco and Gameiro replace Gaitan and Correa.
Guijuelo can take some encouragement from their second-half performance tonight, but the scoreline shows that they are 10-0 behind in this tie, which is not great for confidence.
GUIJUELO SUB! Ayala replaces Martin for the away side.
Little over 10 minutes of football remaining and it is still 4-0 Atletico on the night and 10-0 overall. Real Madrid have already booked their spot in the next round and Barcelona will look to join the Madrid pair when they welcome Hercules in the second leg of their last-32 clash tomorrow night.
GOAL! Atletico 4-1 Guijuelo (Pino)
What a moment! Guijuelo have one back in the 79th minute of this match as Pino, who came on at the interval, heads a super Carles cross into the back of the net. Wonderful header from the striker!
Atletico have been pretty poor in this second period and Guijuelo deserve their goal for their improvement since the break. There were wild celebrations when Pino found the top corner!
Guijuelo threaten once again as Carmona whips a dangerous cross towards Pino, but Moya is on hand to claim and release Thomas down the other end of the field. Carrasco and Gameiro have hardly touched the ball since entering the field, while Cerci has also struggled to get involved.
Julia decides to have a pop from distance as the away side continue to grow in confidence, but the number 10's effort is wide of the post. Atletico have been poor in this second 45 minutes here.
I should not imagine that there will be too much added time at the end of the 90 here.
We are into the second of two additional minutes and still the visitors press players forward. They have been much better in the second period, while Atletico have dropped off considerably.
FULL-TIME: Atletico 4-1 Guijuelo (Atletico win 10-1 on aggregate)
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Atletico breezing into the last-16 stage of the Copa del Rey courtesy of a 10-1 aggregate win over Segunda B side Guijuelo. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the live action once again. Until next time!
